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Menu of high-impact programs
Which are both evidence-based and electorally viable.
Indian states spend$100B / year
on welfareOur goal is to improve
the effectiveness of this spending.
IDI helps leaders adopt welfare reforms that are proven, politically viable, and practical to implement.
The Problem
Every year, Indian states spend >$100Bn on major welfare programs.
But, many of these programs underperform on both equity & cost-effectiveness. in effectiveness could improve the live of
Even small gains millions of poor families.
What We Offer
Our Solution
We help leaders adopt more effective programs by offering:
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Proof of popular appeal
Through polling data & insights, case studies and beneficiary reach data.
03
Hands-on support
To tailor & adopt them to their state's priorities & constraints.
Our Progress
In our year-1, we are working across 3 states -
Tamil Nadu, Assam & Puducherry.
Our work has gained buy-in from senior leaders, resulting in public commitments for 3+ cost-effective welfare programs.
Our Portfolio
Some ideas we're working on
Education
- Scale AI-enabled Teaching at the Right Level (TARL)
- Community Tutors to Close Learning Gaps
Health
- Expand Access to Clean Water
- Stronger Primary Health Care Systems
- Effective Air Quality Action
- Reduce Lead Poisoning
Poverty
- Well Designed Cash Transfers
- Strengthen Weather / Crop Advisory for Farmers
- Scale Climate-Ready Seeds to Protect Yields
Good Governance
- Improve Govt Finances Through Tax Reform
- Improving Digitisation of Land Records
- Performance-Linked Grants to Local-Bodies
- Simplify Rules to unlock Growth & Jobs
WHAT GUIDES US
Our Values
Agility
We bring a startup mindset to mission-driven work: we test ideas quickly, learn from real-world feedback, and improve continuously.
Evidence-led
We are committed to using the best available evidence to guide our work. We seek the truth and update our views when the facts change.
Cost-effectiveness
We believe resources are limited and precious. We aim to focus our time, money, and effort on improving the well-being of as many lives as possible.
Collaborative spirit
We believe in radical collaboration. We will gladly step back, support, or enable others to move the needle. We are clear that the goal is progress, not credit.
Non-partisanship
We do not align with any political party, candidate, or ideology. Our loyalties are to evidence, the public good, and human well-being.
Our commitment
Non-Partisanship: A Core Value
Non-partisanship is foundational to how IDI operates. We never align with any political party, leader, or candidate. Our loyalty is to evidence, public interest, and human wellbeing
Four Pillars - Guiding IDI's Neutrality
Our Research:Evidence-Led, Scope-Disciplined
Evidence-led: Evidence quality, cost-effectiveness, state relevance, and implementation feasibility drive our research.
Narrow scope: Cultural, religious, identity-based, symbolic, and highly contested ideological debates fall strictly outside our evidence mandate.
Our Team
- Uttej is a former Bain consultant
- He was awarded the ¥1.5 million Honda Prize for research excellence and worked with a global expert on evaluating Japan's education policy
- He also set up a development fellowship with an MP, which was lauded by the Chief Minister
- Uttej is a graduate of IIT Madras
- Haindavi is a former BCG consultant
- She worked with the governments of Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Bangladesh on critical reforms in health and education
- Her work helped a government re-allocate millions to high-impact health programs
- Haindavi is a graduate of IIT Madras